Dining and Dancing

Celebrate the Ontario’s only World Heritage Site with some Dining and Dancing at Dows Lake Pavilion and the many other Canal Metre Lounges along the Rideau Canal.  Relax over a great meal while enjoying a beautiful view of the Canal. 

Dancing on the Rideau

July 29 - July 31 from 7pm -10pm

Then grab your favorite dance partner and move to the beat of some of the best musicians in the city at Dows Lake Pavilion.

Check our Daily Schedule for more information.

Explore the Docks

July 28 - August 1

25% off with a Festival Passport

Dows Lake is the perfect location to truly experience the canal first hand. Rent a canoe ,paddle boat or kayak and float through a beautiful summer afternoon.

Boat rentals

• $15 for the first hour
• $8 for every additional hour
• Prices include tax.

Check our Daily Schedule for more information.

Fireworks Show

July 31 at 10pm

The Rideau Canal Festival is lighting up the sky with a spectacular Fireworks Show.

The best seats are at Dows Lake Pavilion with the beautiful Rideau Canal as a backdrop!

Show starts at 10pm at Dows Lake Pavilion. Bring a blanket or small chair and make sure to grab your spot early for this Fireworks extravaganza.

Rideau Canal Garden Tours

July 30 and July 31 (Bilingual) at 1pm  Approx. 1 hour

The Rideau Canal Festival offers gardening enthusiasts a unique and rare opportunity to tour the beautiful gardens along the Rideau Canal.

These gardens are famous for the beautiful tulip displays in the spring, but the display of annuals over the summer is also quite spectacular.

Join our guides, Gérald Lajeunesse and Tina Liu, as they weave the colourful story of floral displays, structure, strategies and vision for the future.

Tours depart from the Info Kiosk at Dows Lake Pavilion.

Gérald Lajeunesse
A practicing Landscape Architect since 1978, Gerry became Chief Landscape Architect for the National Capital Commission from 1989 until 2010 when he retired from the NCC. As Chief L.A. and Project Director, he was responsible for the Landscape Architecture and Urban Design Department, a team of 12 Landscape Architects and support staff. The professional work produced by this dedicated team has been recognized in Canada, North America and throughout the world, winning numerous awards, both national and international.

Tina Liu BLA, MES, OALA, CSLA, LEED® AP
Tina Liu is a landscape architect at the National Capital Commission (NCC). She is the design manager of the Capital Floral Program, responsible for the design of the tulip and annual floral displays for the Capital. Tina is also certified by the Canadian Green Building Council as a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accredited professional. She believes to achieve an innovative sustainable design; one should always consider the environmental and ecological aspects.  She has received several national awards for Canadian projects and is also recognized internationally for environmental projects spearheaded in Asia.

Healthy Living and Active Lifestyle

July 30 and July 31

The Rideau Canal Festival has lots of activities for outdoor enthusiasts. Along with our Rideau Canal Garden Tours and Explore the Docks, we are featuring Yoga on the Canal with Yoga Travels.

Other Healthy Living and Active Lifestyle activities include
Tai-Chi and OAC Fitness Family Frenzy!

See you outside at Dows Lake Pavilion!

Saturday July 30
10:00am	Yogo on the Canal with Yoga Travels
11:00am	OAC Fitness Family Frenzy
1:00pm	Rideau Canal Garden Tours
2:00pm	Tai-Chi
4:00pm	Yogo on the Canal with Yoga Travels
7:00pm -10:00pm	Dancing on the Rideau
Sunday July 31
10:00am	Yogo on the Canal with Yoga Travels
11:00am	OAC Fitness Family Frenzy
1:00pm (Bilingual)	Rideau Canal Garden Tours
2:00pm	Tai-Chi
4:00pm	Yogo on the Canal with Yoga Travels
7:00pm -10:00pm	Dancin' on the Rideau